Care at Home after Septoplasty or Turbinectomy

How will I feel after my surgery?

• You may feel light-headed, dizzy, sleepy or slightly nauseated after surgery.
• You may have a headache.
• You may have a slight temperature for two (2) days.
• It is normal to have a small amount of oozing from pink to dark red from your incision.

• Your temperature is higher than 101°F or 38.5°C;
• You have uncontrollable, continuous dripping blood from your nose.
• You have increasing nasal or facial pain.
• You develop an infection, e.g., increased temperature
• You develop nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea which persists after 24 hours.

For 24 hours after surgery:

• Do not drive
• Do not operate heavy equipment
• Do not drink alcohol
• Do not smoke
• Do not make important decisions
• Have a responsible adult stay with you.
  

How should I care for myself after my surgery?

Nutrition:

• Eat light foods for the first day, such as tea, toast, soup or Jello® and drink extra fluids.
• If you are diabetic, follow your doctor’s orders for diet and medication.

Activity and Exercise:

• You will need to rest for a few days following your surgery.
• Avoid any activity that strains the area of your surgery.
• No heavy lifting (>10lbs) of bending your head below your heart.
• Sleep with your head elevated on pillows.
• Do not bump your nose.
• Ask your surgeon when it is safe to return to your regular activities and work.

Hygiene:

• Keep your mouth clean and teeth brushed.
• Change nasal drip dressing if you have one.
• Sneeze and cough with your mouth open.
• Do not blow your nose.

Medication:

• Take only the medication for pain that your surgeon prescribes.
• Follow your surgeon’s order about when to start taking your routine medications.

Surgical Area:

• Change nasal dressing if you have one as necessary.
• If you have bright bleeding that soaks the gauze and needs to be changed more often than every 15 minutes, call your doctor or go to the emergency department.